"Paint to Hike": National Public Lands Day Service Project and Backcountry Adventure

Pecos, NM: Pecos National Historical Park will celebrate the 22nd annual National Public Lands Day by hosting a special free event, “Paint to Hike” on Saturday, September 30th, 2017. Join us in giving back to Pecos by volunteering your time to paint fence posts. In return, receive an afternoon of exploration into the seldom-seen backcountry of Pecos National Historical Park and a coupon for fee-free entrance into one Federal public lands unit that charges an entrance fee. This opportunity is limited to 50 people and reservations are required.

Held every fourth Saturday in September, National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest, single-day volunteer event for public lands coordinated by the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF). Last year in 2016, over 200,000 participants volunteered at 2,600 locations contributing $18 million in public land improvements. One third of America’s land is in public hands. Let’s join together to keep these beautiful places thriving!

“Paint to Hike” will begin Saturday September 30th at 8:30 am with volunteer registration and check in at the Visitor Center. The fence painting project will be held from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. and is suitable for all ages and abilities. Afterwards, volunteers will help clean up and head over to the Forked Lightning Ranch area where they will receive a trail map and a snack. Between 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. National Public Lands Day volunteers will get to access to 4 beautiful miles of trail looping around the Pecos River and surrounding pastures of the old Forked Lightning Ranch!

Attendees should plan to bring water, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, and lunch. Please wear adequate clothing for a fall day in northern New Mexico. The park will provide all necessary supplies for the fence painting project.

This project is funded in part with funds provided by Western National Parks Association.

From I-25 N: Take the Pecos/Glorieta Exit, #299. Left onto overpass, right onto Route 50; proceed on Route 50 for eight miles. At the village of Pecos, take a right at the four-way stop onto Route 63. In two miles, the park will be on your right. From I-25 S: Take the Rowe Exit, #307. Follow signs. From Highway 63, the park will be on your left.